Whedonesque : Comments on 15023 : Behind the Scenes: WGA v AMPTP.

Have a great Christmas and a wonderful, healthy, New Year, Joss.

I might have to leave work early just to watch this. Or risk watching it here and getting fired.

And we wish you forever well, Joss. Get better post hastedly, okay? And the clip- worth every penny (metaphoric penny, that is)...

Dana5140 | December 20, 22:18 CET

Get better, for goodness sake! Can't wait to get what I deserve.

mumpower | December 20, 22:19 CET

Great, loving the video.

Those crazy Whedons!

HydeMe | December 20, 22:19 CET

Awesome. Can I have a signed script for cashforthecrew.com ?

Seriously, I have your email addie, but I've always felt odd about using it. So, um, yeah.

Plus, hey, Caroline, she sure is hot!

Allyson | December 20, 22:19 CET

:) Damn the metaphors and full steam ahead!

zeitgeist | December 20, 22:21 CET

Happy Holidays back at ya and to everyone. I didn't know we were supposed to boycott movies. Makes sense just never thought of it. Going to the inlaws... so more family time without movies to go to - yikes.
To those in the know, who are the relations in the vid?

foofaraw | December 20, 22:22 CET

I am forever sick in solidarity with Joss, as in all other things. Sucks, though.

aver | December 20, 22:28 CET

Schemes! Yay for schemes!

Happy holidays, Joss.

Samantha | December 20, 22:28 CET

Happy Holidays, and I hope you get better soon.

dulce_serenidad | December 20, 22:29 CET

This was funny, as Homer would say, because it's true - although the panda fur thing was just... evil.

"Everyone seems to band together when they're commonly getting screwed."

Loved it - a new strike band should be called "Common Screwing" or something like that...

I can't stand it that you're still sick, Jossir. The mommy part of me freaked when I saw Boston rally video of you walking around with your coat open and no scarf... but there, I don't wanna blame the sickee for what is obviously a virulent strain of yuck.

Happy Holidays if we don't see you, and be well.

ETA: The fans4writers.com list of "What Not To Boycott", which includes theatrical releases. However, boycotting streaming video and other online stuff is good if you let the studios know you're doing it.

[ edited by QuoterGal on 2007-12-20 19:38 ]

QuoterGal | December 20, 22:31 CET

Happy Holidays to you and yours Joss.

Mal'sGal | December 20, 22:36 CET

Thank you for all the great story-gifts of 2007, Joss (plus the Dollhouse news) (and for being a stand-up-and-give member of your sundry communities). May Santa bring you a big box of health.

[ edited by Pointy on 2007-12-20 21:41 ]

Pointy | December 20, 22:41 CET

Feel better, Joss! Try to enjoy what you can of the "Holiday." I'm not much for these seasonal things - I believe in doing good all year round if I can, but ... have you seen the Dark Horse Christmas Card linked here? Best.Xmas.Card Evah.

I'll have to watch the video when I get home but I'll take your word for it.

Tonya J | December 20, 22:51 CET

You crack me up.

Please get better soon - for the love of Pete!

Happy holidays, yadda yadda... :)

mongorules | December 20, 22:53 CET

"Get her something simple and romantic"

"Like a boat."

"Yeah, like a boat but like a sailboat."

*sniff* That's so beautiful. Oh, and the informative conversation about beard. Wow. I mean, they should WRITE that stuff down!

I got something icky in my mouth when Carson+Daily+Future were in one sentence and meant something. Although, you know, Donuts are fattening but they do get to walk it off.

We need to bombard the AMPTP with metaphors, that would show them! ;)

*sitting and waiting for what she deserves*

Joss, you can't be forever sick. We will not allow it! *sends happy healing thoughts towards you*

Mirage | December 20, 22:54 CET

Right as soon as I figure out how to say "greednitutedesnous" it's becoming my word of the week.

RachVG | December 20, 22:57 CET

greed - nuh - too - ted - ess - ness

zeitgeist | December 20, 23:10 CET

There's been a lot of talk about the moguls' motivations, that they're greedy beyond greednitutedesnous, but the other point that needs to be stressed is that they are totally banoonoos. They have left the reservation. They have so much, they have forgotten the concept of human need.

Amen to that. Seriously. The picture of the AMPTP is in the dictionary under "out-of-touch". It's seriously scary.

Besides laughing at this, I have been scheming schemes.

I hope one of those schemes includes coming to rally in Portland and/or Seattle (or both? Please?). You know if you guys give us a week's notice, we will bring in the army. Just keep Fans4Writers updated, and we'll get on that.

And if I don't get the chance to post for a while, Happy holidays.

Forever sick, -j.

For pete's sake, Joss, take care of yourself! Get lots of rest this holiday season. Take your vitamins, drink your juice, get lots of sleep. You need your strength when you ride that brand new shiny dragon they're gonna get you. Really. Because, Dragons! (Thanks for the side-splitting dragon laughs. Ahhh, good times.)

Be well, Joss. Happy Holidays, Dragon Master.

electricspacegirl | December 20, 23:14 CET

There's a Jed? I knew about Zack from Deadwood, but there's a Jed? How many more Whedon sibs are there anyway? Now I'm all curiousy. Are they geniuses too (geniusii?)?

And Joss, please get well so you can get back to giving me what I deserve. Because it's all. about. me.

Ask your doc about vitamin b shots. Merry Merry!!

Willowy | December 20, 23:16 CET

Happy Holidays, Joss. All the best.

two_guns | December 20, 23:16 CET

Gee, Joss, saying the moguls have gone off the reservation, and forgotten the concept of human need is a bit strong.
Then again, the L-A City Council wanted AMPTP officials to be at their meeting to talk about how the strike was affecting the economy--and they declined. Lots of WGA members, though.
Acting banoonoos is no way to run an industry. Let's all hope the Christmas spirit...and the prospect of the 2008 Oscars without writers and Jon Stewart...convince the moguls that a little less change in their pockets immediately will lead to more change in everyone's pockets in the long run.
Merry Christmas and a blessed Gurnenthar's Ascendance!

impalergeneral | December 20, 23:16 CET

Have a great Christmas, Joss - and my very best wishes for the New Year.

silvius | December 20, 23:23 CET

I hope one of those schemes includes coming to rally in Portland and/or Seattle (or both? Please?).

Or, really, wherever is serves the goals and purposes best. Although first it would be nice if any of the parties involved -- F4W, WGA, whoever -- would give some indication of just who's meant to be steering the ship when it comes to local rallies (and I don't count the local things the WGA announces the day before they happen, so fans go "if I had known earlier..." and play out as little more than media availabilities).

theonetruebix | December 20, 23:33 CET

Joss, hope you get'a plastic rocket. Or pony. Whichever. Not both, though. That's too much good ride-ance. Good riddance is what I'd like to say to the AMPTP. Maybe they should get plastic rockets. Big ones. To jam straight up their tight...

"Dear Mr. Mogul, merry Christmas. This wee plastic rocket is for you to ride to a place that has a clue. I know...I know it, it's a long journey."

RhaegarTargaryen | December 20, 23:34 CET

Funny video. But I'm not sure about the whole showing studio execs that way is the right thing to do. As I seem to remember Joss saying earlier in this dispute, these execs are human, and they're as worried and uncertain about the future as the rest of us. There are vast sums of money at stake here and the internet is almost certain to transform the business completely in ways no one can predict. I think the studios are fearful that the smallest concession, a few cents given to the writers, could make the difference between profit and loss in years to come.
A friend of mine worked for Ford here in the UK and got a several thousand pound bonus for coming up with a way to make a certain component with four bolts instead of five. One bolt cost less than pennies but when you make millions of these a year they add up. The studios view these disputed payments the same way.
We should be working to show the studios that it's in their interest to pay the writers. If the WGA caved today and agreed to the studios every demand then thousands of writers would have to leave the business or get other jobs to support themselves and aspiring writers would be put off entering the business. In a couple of years the studios would not have enough writers to produce their shows and the spec script market would die out since few writers would have the time to spend working on their own projects.
We have to convince the studios that money spent on writers is an investment, not an expense. The bigger the pool of writers the more new, interesting, exciting projects they will have available, leading to new franchises, new hit shows, more DVD sales, more paid-for downloads and more profit for them.
This video mentions football teams. Team owners in football, baseball etc accept they have to spend big money on players, because without players they wont win matches or make a profit.
Writers have to prove to the studios that they are the players that will bring hit movies and shows and earn big profit.
Stooping to Nick Counters level and trying to ridicule and demonise the studio execs isn't the way to go, IMHO.

zz9 | December 20, 23:39 CET

Have a Merry, Restful, and Healthful Christmas, and if you get bored then feel free to come here and rant about your schemes, some of us will be around (equally bored and sympathetic to rants and willing to part-take in schemes).

I hope all the Whedonesquers will be celebrating the solstice in heartwarming ways!

embers | December 20, 23:44 CET

Maybe zz9 but the writers want a percentage, meaning if the streaming revenues are huge, they do well, if not, not. If the revenues are huge and there's still no profit then i'd submit that the model is broken and the studios need to rethink (for which the writers shouldn't be penalised).

I liked the water thing BTW, it reminded me of bread for some reason ;-).

And I also was Zack-aware but woefully unhip to the Jed. If he ever went anywhere, and they made a film about him Returning then they could call it ... "Back Comes Jed" or something.

Cool video. The Panda bit, the beard bit, the plane punchline, the other bits. Hi-larious ;). Sure the sound was a bit dodgy but the signal was 5x5 and that's what matters.

Merry Christmas Joss and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.

Saje | December 20, 23:50 CET

Happy holidays Mr. Whedon!

And to you all!

Craig Oxbrow | December 20, 23:56 CET

and I don't count the local things the WGA announces the day before they happen, so fans go "if I had known earlier..." and play out as little more than media availabilities).

Yeah, there's a lot of "Baltimore? WTF!? NOOOO" going on at the moment. Including me. So if any WGA people read this, we need forewarning so we can come to rallies!

Similarly, Atlanta area peeps-- Atlanta WGA rally tomorrow.

Stooping to Nick Counters level and trying to ridicule and demonise the studio execs isn't the way to go, IMHO.

Agreed. Except I say yes to some kinds of ridicule and no to using the same "they're so rich they're not like you, gentle viewer" logic that they're using. No one wins that way. You need to show up their lies without playing the same game they are.

Um, I really don't mean to always be "this is not good" and "a critical interweb poster posts..."

Good luck, be well, and don't ever say no to more pie during holidays. That goes for Whedonesquers and especially for strikers (purpley and non). I hope the new year brings a better deal for you all.

Sunfire | December 20, 23:57 CET

Nice video that breaks it down to the unadorned fundamentals. YouTube is really turning out to be a useful tool for getting the message out through other channels, isn't it? I'll be sending this jewel on to some friends who are still a little "huh?" about the situation.

The strike was the topic on the second hour of the Diane Rehm Show on my local NPR affiliate this morning. I wrote in to mention the fan-writer synergy that's happening, and the fans4writers site, but my question didn't make it on the air. Still, I tried. You can catch the podcast or replay the segment at www.drshow.org (click 'Pod' in the right-hand column, or find the segment in "Archives" or "Search"). The host mentioned that they'd tried for two months to get a member of AMPTP to be on the panel -- and were unsuccessful. Those who spoke all supported the strike.

My heart goes out to everyone who's suffering from the direct effects of the strike. It's got to be so hard, being the nail that dares to stick up while a hammer looms overhead, but I know you'll all stay strong. And please do your best to get well, Joss. You are much loved, and that's a damn fact, but only you can take care of you.

Wiseblood | December 21, 00:09 CET

Thanks Wiseblood. I forgot about that being on today.

Sunfire | December 21, 00:16 CET

Happy holidays to you and your family, Joss, and to all the Whedonesquers as well.

Eden | December 21, 00:17 CET

Alas, 403 Forbidden *grumble*

Guess I'll have to wait till I'm home to see what's up.

Joss, happy holidays to you and yours!

m'cookies actual | December 21, 00:19 CET

God, that was funny, sad and sad-funny. Those Whedons are hilarious. I don't know why, but I particularly loved the beards bits. And the panda rug. My god. Off the reservation, indeed. Carson Daly. Shudder.

Joss, I hope you recover soon. Happy holidays to all...

phlebotinin | December 21, 00:41 CET

I have an honest question. Isn't this video part of new-media? And wasn't it said that it's breaking the rules for someone to write new-media while the strike was going on? As you can probably tell I am still a bit confused about what constitues new-media. Youtube has advertisers making money off of people watching it, so I am really curious.

theMidnighter | December 21, 00:49 CET

The strike relates to the AMPTP, which YouTube (Google) is not a part of. It's pretty clear that anyone who posts on YouTube is agreeing not to get paid from it.

zz9, I agree with you in principle about the high road, but I thought this was pretty lighthearted and fun. Stuff like that even gets written into TV shows during non-strike times (Action, Entourage, etc.).

p.s. The invitation to, um, "love" the panda rug was brilliant.

jam2 | December 21, 00:57 CET

It's breaking the rules to write for a struck company theMidnighter (though possibly only if you're paid to do so - either way, YouTube isn't a struck company).

Saje | December 21, 00:57 CET

Best wishes, all y'all! (And thanks for making me realize that my continuing onslaught of phlegm starting about a week and a half ago is actually my long-distance solidarity... now I understand.)

Kirochka | December 21, 00:58 CET

I think the primary difference between this writing and strike-breaking writing is that 1) this writing is donated to a 2) non-commercial endeavor. It's a non-profit whatchamacallit.

QuoterGal | December 21, 00:58 CET

I tend to agree with the school of thought that says it's not beneficial to stoop to the AMPTP's level to get the point across. For example...that AMPTP parody site? Hilarious. Mass e-mailing it to the entire WGA membership? Not so much.

I have a similarly conflicting feeling about this video...it's hilarious and I totally agree with the sentiment (face it, at this point, the AMPTP aren't just off the reservation, they're off the fucking planet, drifting somewhere in the 'verse like Jubal Early), but I don't think it's going to help.

Still, "Can I fuck it?" makes me want to say that everything I just said should be ignored.

ETA: And of course, Merry Christmas to all, and Joss, get better, gorram it!

[ edited by UnpluggedCrazy on 2007-12-20 21:59 ]

UnpluggedCrazy | December 21, 00:59 CET

Happy Solstice Joss!

SpikeBad | December 21, 01:00 CET

Thanks Saje and QG that makes a bit more sense.
For all the people of all the faiths that celebrate a Happy whichever holiday you enjoy. And a happy festivus for the rest of us, except for the Jehova witness'(and the others who aren't into the celebrating gig) who I hope enjoy the month of December just because it's the last month of the year.

theMidnighter | December 21, 01:13 CET

Yes, Kirochka, we are all connected in ways great and gross.

Pointy | December 21, 01:17 CET

Warm holiday wishes, Joss. Please avoid drowning, be it in watershed fluid, metaphors, phlegm, or other non-breathable substances. And of course, the same to all other Whedonesquers.

(Hmm. Happy holidays, don't drown. I could have sworn I left my holiday cheer around here somewhere...)

Lady Brick | December 21, 01:30 CET

Happy Holidays, Joss, to you and yours! May you have a healthy and Happy New Year!

I second b!x's request to the PTB to keep us in the loop for whatever future schemes are being schemed.

Zannadoo | December 21, 01:50 CET

You know, making Clem a foreskin demon was a bit of a commercial compromise. Originally, he was called Flem.

[ edited by Pointy on 2007-12-20 23:20 ]

Pointy | December 21, 02:11 CET

At first I thought it was funny but exactly 11.2 seconds after watching it, I'd have to call this sad, not funny.

Where is Robin Hood when you need him? Hell, I'd be satisfied with Robin Wood.

alexreager | December 21, 02:33 CET

Great video but I agree with alexreager - it made me very sad. Which means next week (after I see what my raise is) I'm giving a bit more scratch to the WGA. They need it more than I do right now. And Joss thanks for all of your hard work and please take care of yourself. Chicken soup perhaps?

ruthless1 | December 21, 03:16 CET

Great video but I agree with alexreager - it made me very sad. Which means next week (after I see what my raise is) I'm giving a bit more scratch to the WGA. They need it more than I do right now. And Joss thanks for all of your hard work and please take care of yourself. Chicken soup perhaps?

ruthless1 | December 21, 03:24 CET

I second b!x's request to the PTB to keep us in the loop for whatever future schemes are being schemed.

That's not even my request. My request, made of all parties, is that someone at least indicate if there even is a freaking scheme.

theonetruebix | December 21, 03:35 CET

Joss & Zack & Jed? What fabulous names; they sound like a cowboy gang.

Unplugged Crazy said everything I thought about the video.

A happy solstice to all--I hope longer days bring brighter times.

jcs | December 21, 03:37 CET

Haha. Great video. And thanks for coming to the 'zon yesterday, Mister Whedon, that was way fun.

Mort | December 21, 04:50 CET

Well joss if its any consolation, I've been a lot sick lately as well - except I'm not rich and have no family.

Pumps | December 21, 05:10 CET

It's late so some quick points...

1) That was hilarious!
2) The AMPTP sucks!
3) Happy holidays, Joss! :)

RockManic | December 21, 05:30 CET

Heh. I've got banoonoos and greednitutedesnous next to and under a photo of Joss as my new MySpace avatar. I don't have fancy editing stuff but it's purty.

Tonya J | December 21, 06:10 CET

Hilarious, and yet so sad at the same time. Here's hoping for a resolution in the dawn of the new year.

Happy Holidays, Joss! Thanks so much for all the gifts you've given us.

Spikesgurl | December 21, 06:11 CET

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Be well or get well soon!

Anonymous1 | December 21, 06:21 CET

Thanks for the link, Joss, and get better soon! Think of your "how to get better," as non-writing conflict resolution practice! :)

Tons of warm wishes for being such a patient sweetheart in Boston during and after the local WGA strike. (Pandemonium Books in Cambridge rocks!)

And Merry Holidays to you and all the other Whedonesquers!

blueazur | December 21, 06:38 CET

Although I am unable to watch the funny/sad youtube vid, I hope all involved and all Whedonesquers and all everybody else survive the holiday season and find themselves in tiptop health when the New Year arrives. Down with terminal yuckiness!

cabri | December 21, 07:12 CET

Someone said: "I hope one of those schemes includes coming to rally in Portland and/or Seattle (or both? Please?)."

Then B!x said: Or, really, wherever is serves the goals and purposes best. Although first it would be nice if any of the parties involved -- F4W, WGA, whoever -- would give some indication of just who's meant to be steering the ship when it comes to local rallies (and I don't count the local things the WGA announces the day before they happen, so fans go "if I had known earlier..." and play out as little more than media availabilities).

Then someone else said: "I second b!x's request to the PTB to keep us in the loop for whatever future schemes are being schemed."

Then B!x noted: That's not even my request. My request, made of all parties, is that someone at least indicate if there even is a freaking scheme.

I've been wondering that myself, B!x. I keep thinking that it'll be so cool when his Jossness comes this way, then catching myself with the reminder that we don't even really know if something like that has been planned. Just that we here in the beautiful Pacific NW keep thinking what a wonderful idea it would be for him to visit us.

All I know is that if, when (hopinghopinghoping), it happens, I'll be there to do whatever I can for as long as I need to be. Please count on me for organization stuff!

Julesong | December 21, 09:31 CET

PS: Mr. Joss, I know you're probably tired of us telling you to get well. Instead, you might want to take a look at the soup section of the Big Damn Chefs cookbook and see iffen you can use some of the recipes there to help your wellness. :) The eggdrop soup would probably be perfect...

PPS: um, I accidentally gave you my copy instead of yours, by the way. Hoping we can swap back sometime...

Julesong | December 21, 09:33 CET

I've been wondering that myself, B!x. I keep thinking that it'll be so cool when his Jossness comes this way, then catching myself with the reminder that we don't even really know if something like that has been planned.

Y'all are still missing my point, however. I'm not talking about the Pacific NW and whether or not Joss is coming here. I'm talking about in local rallies as a general notion, anywhere in the US, and how they've been done so far (poorly and nearly-unannounced). At this point, I don't really care where Joss or does not decide to go next, if anywhere. I just need someone -- be it the Guild or F4W -- to step up and actually take some sort of actual lead on making things happen that aren't half-assed.

[ edited by theonetruebix on 2007-12-21 07:10 ]

theonetruebix | December 21, 09:56 CET

Yeah, I'm not sure this is the best idea. I mean, surely it's not meant to be a spirit-raiser. "Hey, while you're tired and poor, nothing you do is affecting the producers. Hell, they don't even know who you are. So keep striking, even though it will clearly not matter to those it should."

I know, I know, it's just some fun and probably meant to just show what everyone is feeling or thinking. But still. It's like making fun of Bush because he's a bully and starts unnecessary wars and we all pay the price...oh wait, it's not funny, cuz it's true. It just illuminates the sadness of the situation.

Rogue Slayer | December 21, 10:10 CET

At this point, I don't really care where Joss or does not decide to go next, if anywhere. I just need someone -- be it the Guild or F4W -- to step up and actually take some sort of actual lead on making things happen that aren't half-assed.

I get it. And I'm sure Joss will, too.

Julesong | December 21, 10:14 CET

I haven't wiped my own ass in TEN years.

Now THAT is classy.

Dan Corson | December 21, 10:25 CET

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, may the new year bring a fair deal for the writers and a quick end to the strike.

jpr | December 21, 12:22 CET

1) Fun video. Nice to see the other Whedon sibs.
2) Happy Holidays for everyone, and also for Joss and your family (Kai, the boys...). Hope you get better soon.
3) I wonder how the AMPTP would work if the smaller members (which is the majority of the membership) were actually the ones on charge, instead of those 6 big moguls (who really do make most of the revenue), they talk so much about an almost non-existent whole unity among the Association, which does make one wonder about the level of agreement on every action (like spending millions on PR firms) they're taking.

Numfar PTB | December 21, 13:04 CET

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone celebrating - or not - this December.

Joss, please get well. I reiterate - using a neti pot works wonders. Hot chicken soup is also a help, although for myself I usually get some Szchechuan hot and sour soup from my local Chinese restaurant when I'm not feeling well.

samatwitch | December 21, 13:27 CET

Whedon's are cuties. (And I'm not gay, believe it or not).

Also, bix, if I got together a list of Yahoo groups for regional Browncoats, would it help? There is a kinda stunning lack of organisation from the WGA and United Hollywood when it comes to embracing fan support as nobody is really sure what the hell is going on still from what I've see -- so it's very tempting just to organise stuff regardless.

gossi | December 21, 14:03 CET

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! .... drink lots of water. And make that soup with organic veggies, Joss. Clean the chemical preservatives and massive amounts of sodium (in canned soups) out of your body. OK, that may be crossing a "personal space" line but we all have our soap box issues ;-)

Blessed Solstice and Happy Holidays of whatever kind you celebrate (or not), to everyone.

Shey | December 21, 14:12 CET

These questions don't require replies, they're just something to think about. Joss, when you first got the grunge, was it full-blown pneumonia so bad that your lungs were half-full of fluid, so that you couldn't climb a flight of stairs without extreme shortness of breath? Did it get better very slowly, with coughing up copious amounts of at first not very mucous-y fluid, because it was so diluted? If so, it might be what me and a lot of other soldiers caught in Central California at the end of 2004, at the processing for shipment overseas station there. Antibiotics ineffective? It was probably a virus, because antibiotics didn't do shit. And probably a self-limiting virus, since I didn't hear of anybody dying of it. But there was continuing lung trouble. If this sounds familiar, don't spend the holidays in cold, damp LA. Go to the warmest, driest, least polluted place you can find and breath deep.

dreamlogic | December 21, 14:19 CET

Yo, Saturnalia! Happy Winter Solstice!

Nebula1400 | December 21, 16:29 CET

I'm a bit on the fence about the video too; it's definitely funny, but even well made propaganda for a cause with which I agree can be hard to take sometimes. Still, glad I watched it and the Whedons in particular were the picture of awesomeness.

WilliamTheB | December 21, 16:54 CET

Joss, we're keeping close tabs on this. Please give everyone a heads up that they aren't forgotten. We're going to swing this one way or the other.

Madhatter | December 21, 19:48 CET

Jossir, will you please take care of yourself? How will the next generation of Whedon writers celebrate properly with Papa sick? Although, it does seem to me that the third generation could easily have gotten into acting, so maybe the fourth will.
Happy Holidays, all.

Lioness | December 21, 20:01 CET

Happy [place holiday of preference here], to All!

Love's Bitch | December 21, 20:52 CET

At this point, I don't really care where Joss or does not decide to go next, if anywhere. I just need someone -- be it the Guild or F4W -- to step up and actually take some sort of actual lead on making things happen that aren't half-assed.

Understood, bix, and I agree that I'd also like to see more coordination and communication out of the Guild, but there's really no way for F4W to take the lead in this. I think we just need to continue showing and reminding them how much of an asset we can be for them if they keep us in the loop.

lexigeek | December 21, 21:38 CET

The Whedons Could ba a good title for TV series abotu a family; "LEt me take you back now, To the hills of ...Wherever."

DaddyCatALSO | December 21, 21:42 CET

Now there's a thought. Could we be a television show?

Simon, just kidding. Hey, put that cannon ball down, mister!

Madhatter | December 21, 22:01 CET

The Whedons Could ba a good title for TV series abotu a family;

Heh. I'm picturing: "Good night, Joss" ... "Good night, ..." (sorry, I don't know all the sibs names)

Tonya J | December 21, 22:10 CET

"Once you meet the family, known as the real Whedons -
From nowhere they came to make their mark in sunny Cal-i-for-nigh-aye..."

Crickets....

What? Looks around at the vacant stares What?

ShadowQuest | December 22, 05:32 CET

Ohhh Joss... This is my first time responding to one of your posts, because, like, what do you say to Joss Whedon? Well, I guess just that I hope you get better! I feel your pain, as I seem to catch every damn flu bug in town every year. And good luck strikin'. Brandon

5X5B | December 22, 09:09 CET

This is my "I'm worried about Joss' health" face.

Such a talented family.

redeem147 | December 22, 16:42 CET

I might have to leave work early just to watch this. Or risk watching it here and getting fired.

deadbessie | December 20, 19:18 CET

What? Looks around at the vacant stares What?

ShadowQuest | December 22, 02:32 CET

deadbessie, so you work there too, eh? : )

shadowquest, did you just drop a "Real McCoys" bomb up in here? (No, I'm not old enough to have seen the show, but I...know...of its...existence.
Yeah...um...that's it.
[slinks away]

AmazonGirl | December 22, 20:40 CET

"Goodnight Joss" "Goodnight MArti" "Goodnight Sarah" Good night ALy"....

and there actually was a lyric to the The Waltons theme even tho ti wans't featured on the credits. Dinah Shore sang it once on her talk show,I audio-taped it and played it enough times to still remember ... all ...the..words...even..tho...the...tape...was..thrown..out...years..ago....

DaddyCatALSO | December 22, 21:15 CET

AmazonGirl Shadow bats her eyelashes innocently Whatever are you talking about?

Oh, you mean that quaint black & white Western with the really catchy theme song?

"Once you meet the family, known as the Real McCoys/From West Virgin they came to stay in sunny Cal-i-for-nigh-aye/That's Grandpappy, the head of the McCoys and his favorite grandson, Luke McCoy/Once you meet Papino, the family's hired hand/And that's old George, who lives next door, a friend & neighbor you've met before/Together they share all the fun and joys of the family known as the Real McCoys."

Or...something like that. I think. Maybe. Wait...what were we talking about?

And I also don't know the lyrics to "Swamp Fox" or the intro & closing voice-overs from "Tales of the Darkside," no matter what anyone tells you to the contrary. And I never claimed to know both the long and short versions of the VO from "Quantum Leap," either. So there. Nyah.

I think it's safe to say my nerd status is secure.

ShadowQuest | December 23, 02:26 CET

For complete nerd status you must know the lyrics for the Star Trek Original Series theme tune, and why they were written but never used.

zz9 | December 23, 02:28 CET

zz9 "Space...exciting and new. Beam aboard, we're expecting yooooou...."

No?

As to why they were never used - even in the sixties no one wanted to hear William Shatner sing.

ShadowQuest | December 23, 02:47 CET

Writer of theme tunes get royalties. Gene Roddenberry scribbled some crap lyrics on the back of an envelope and said "There. Lyrics. I get half the royalties", and he did, for the rest of his life. And the writer of the actual music got half what he should have.

zz9 | December 23, 02:53 CET

Hey Joss, your relations of siblinginess got on United Hollywood! Give them my grats!

But, um, what's with a TV writer okaying two of his kids having names that start with the same letter?

Banter | December 23, 07:08 CET

I posted in the wrong thread. It read a little dadaist, except for the part about William Shatner, because he is never tangential.

[ edited by Sunfire on 2007-12-23 04:48 ]

Sunfire | December 23, 07:31 CET

It's gotten to a point where you can see the studios don't give a damn about writers, crew or the audience and have no intention to improve the situation and only want to sell things during reality tv.

Merry christmas for all.

luis1210 | December 26, 07:35 CET

December 20 2007